Andrew C. Toppan wrote:
On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 12:29:34 +1100, Jack
wrote:


That seems pretty harsh. I certainly don't know the facts, but wasn't
it a case of an uncharted obstruction? How can he be blamed for that?


He's not. He wasn't following some of the navigation/voyage planning
procedures, which, if followed....still wouldn't have prevented
running into an uncharted mountain. But the nuclear navy follows the
book, and if you get caught not following it, you will have a
problem....

--
Andrew Toppan --- --- "I speak only for myself"
"Haze Gray & Underway" - Naval History, DANFS, World Navies Today,
Photo Features, Military FAQs, and more - http://www.hazegray.org/


A consise and straight answer from a reliable source. Thank you
Andrew.
I assume that several Captains/Commanders that have been previously
cutting corners have straightened up their act a bit. In the short run
a positive effect on the force overall...although the black eye will
remain for a while.
As a member of a beareaucratic organization the cutting of corners
is often defacto authorized by a middle management that turns a blind
eye, often out of necessity from unrealistic expectations of the top
brass, sometimes due to incompetence, sometimes due to downright
laziness...but when something goes wrong suddenly upper and middle
management will run for cover and the lowest but most visible supervisor
gets the axe, in this case the Captain/Commander. I doubt there will
probably be a strenuous examination of current practices overall in the
running of ships. The word will probably be to suck it up for a while
and cross every t and dot every i and then things will blow over.
Do I sound bitter? Maybe just disillusioned with bureaucracies
where mediocrity and deviousness is so lavishly rewarded and enthusiasm
and integrity is considered a nuisance.